By Adeyinka Adeniran
As part of the state education advancement pre-summit, the Oyo State Government, in collaboration with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Onelife Initiative and Malala Fund have taken a significant step towards addressing the growing challenge of out-of-school children in the state.
A technical workshop on Oyo State Educational Reforms on Out-of-School Children was held in Ibadan, bringing together government officials, policymakers, civil society organizations, technical experts, and private sector stakeholders.
The workshop, which was part of the state Education Advancement Pre-Summit, aimed to design actionable strategies to improve education sector planning and strengthen partnerships for lasting reforms.
The one-day event, which featured keynote addresses, position paper presentation, panel discussion, and breakout session, was organised to promote knowledge sharing, capacity building, and strategic engagement aimed at improving education sector planning and strengthening partnerships for lasting reforms.
In his opening address, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, reaffirmed the full support of the legislative for every policy, initiative, and partnership that aims to eliminate educational exclusion, and its commitment to prioritising gender-inclusive budgeting, enhancing legislative oversight of education programmes, and ensuring that every law passed reflects the right of every child to learn, thrive, and contribute meaningfully to society.
Ogundoyin, represented by Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Oluwafowokanmi Oluwafemi, said: “Our House Committee on Basic and Secondary Education has been actively engaged on this issue, and I assure you of their continued collaboration with all stakeholders here present.
“We recognise that education is not the responsibility of government alone but it is a shared mission. From civil society actors, to development partners, to local communities and parents, we all have a role to play.”
While welcoming participants to the workshop, the Partnership Manager Nigeria, Malala Fund, Maryam Danburam, noted that the participants were gathered due to a shared commitment to strengthen education in Oyo State so as to secure a brighter future for the children, especially girls.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Onelife Initiative, Sola Fagorusi, explained that the workshop was put together because of the need for interagency, ministerial, and departmental collaborations, including the role of media and civil society organisations, calling for best thoughts, ideas and initiatives from all stakeholders present.
The Senior Programme Officer, Advocacy and Policy Influencing Unit of Education as a Vaccine, an NGO, explained that the project is focused on transparency and accountability, and a gender responsive education system in Oyo State, aimed at seeing to the enrolment and retention of girls in school.
Goodwill messages from the representatives of the Oyo State Ministry of Education, State Universal Basic Education, Parent-Teacher Association, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and National Orientation Agency, among others, were delivered at the workshop.
Various stakeholders at the workshop identified several key issues contributing to the out-of-school challenge, including neglect of parental duty, inadequate government capacity, regional variations in education prioritization, food security, and inclusive learning environments.
They also stressed the importance of collective action, avoiding polarization, and promoting a common front for education reform.
The workshop proposed several recommendations, including strengthening legal enforcement of compulsory education laws, scaling community engagement, enhancing federal-state collaboration, and building capacity for parents and communities.
Others include implementing and expanding school feeding programs, promoting inclusive education policies, and encouraging multi-stakeholder collaboration.
The Technical Workshop also recognized the efforts of position paper authors who contributed to shaping the reform agenda, with four authors specifically honored during the event. The workshop serves as a pre-summit engagement to lay the foundation for broader education reforms in Oyo State.
